Reversible ball having hyper-elastic properties and safety perforations

ABSTRACT

A novelty device and the method of covering an object with the device. The device has an elastic casing that defines an internal area. The elastic casing has an external outer surface and an internal inner surface. Perforations extend between the outer surface and inner surface. The outer surface and the inner surface are different from each other, wherein both surfaces are visually and/or tactilely distinct. An aperture of a first diameter is disposed in the elastic casing. The aperture enables the elastic casing to be selectively inverted. The aperture can be elastically stretched to a much greater size. This enables the casing to be easily turned inside out. It also enables the casing to be easily stretched over secondary objects without inhibiting air flow to the covered object.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-In-Part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/968,410, entitled Reversible Ball Having Hyper-Elastic Properties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

In general, the present invention relates to reversible balls that can be selectively turned inside out. More specifically, the present invention relates to the structure, materials and methods of manufacture associated with such reversible balls.

2. Background Art

The idea of reversibility has long been designed into toys and novelty products. For example, dolls have long been provided with clothes that have one pattern on the inside of the clothing and a second pattern on the outside. The style of clothes can then be changed simply by turning the clothes inside out.

The idea of reversibility has also been applied to the structure of toys. For instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,399 to Reynolds, entitled Toy Alterable Between Two Different Shapes, a toy is shown that changes from a racing car to a racing helmet depending upon if the toy is turned inside out or right side in.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,938 to Reynolds, entitled Toy Or Other Object Alterable Between Two Different Shapes, shows a toy that can be reversed between a ball and a stuffed animal.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,645,101 to Wong, entitled Transformable Ball, a reversible ball is provided having different textures on its inside and outside surfaces. As such, the appearance of the ball can be changed by turning the ball inside out.

In the structure of a reversible toy, an opening must be formed in the casing of the toy. The aperture is usually just large enough so that the toy can be pushed and pulled inside out through the aperture. However, once the toy is either inside out or right side in, the aperture remains. This detracts from the appearance of the toy. The presence of the aperture also allows dirt and other debris to collect within the toy structure. With plush toys, such as those shown in the two cited Reynolds patents, the aperture in the toy can be closed with a zipper. However, with a molded ball, such as that shown in the Wong patent, the aperture remains open and visible.

The diameter of the aperture in a reversible toy can be minimized to reduce adverse effects. However, when the size of the aperture is reduced, the difficulty involved in reversing the toy through that aperture increases. Furthermore, the smaller the aperture in the reversible toy, the more likely the aperture will rip as the toy is reversed.

Toys that can be reversed have openings in the structure of the toy that enable the toy to be physically turned inside out. During play, a child may put their hands, feet and sometimes heads into this opening. If a child places his/her head in a toy, the danger of suffocation is present.

The present invention provides a reversible toy having only a small aperture. However, the aperture is designed to resiliently open to a diameter even larger than the structure of the toy itself. In this manner, the aperture becomes the key novelty feature of the toy, while enabling the toy to be easily reversed without effort or damage. Furthermore, the structure of the toy is perforated. In this manner, if the toy is ever pulled over a child's face. The ability of the child to breathe will not be impeded. The details of the present invention are described and claimed below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a novelty device and the method of covering an object with that novelty device. The novelty device contains a perforated elastic casing that defines an internal area. The elastic casing has an external outer surface and an internal inner surface. The outer surface and the inner surface are different from each other, wherein both surfaces are visually and/or tactilely distinct.

An aperture of a first diameter is disposed in the elastic casing. The aperture enables the elastic casing to be selectively inverted by being pulled inside out through the aperture. The aperture can be elastically stretched to a diameter at least ten times greater than the original diameter of the aperture. Consequently, a small aperture can be elastically enlarged to a much greater size. This enables the casing to be easily turned inside out. It also enables the casing to be easily stretched over secondary objects that are originally much larger than the casing, therein covering a secondary object with one of the two different surface designs. As the perforations on the elastic casing stretch, the perforations open. This allows air to flow to any object being covered by the elastic casing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention novelty device;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the novelty device of FIG. 1 shown partially inverted;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the novelty device of FIG. 1 being stretched to an enlarged size;

FIG. 4 is a view of the novelty device of FIG. 1 being applied over a person's head; and

FIG. 5 is a view of the novelty device of FIG. 1 being applied over a person's foot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the present invention novelty device can have any configuration, such as that of a doll or an animal, in its simplest form, it can be formed as a ball. Accordingly, the shown exemplary embodiment of the present invention is presented as a ball in order to provide the best and simplest mode contemplated for the invention. However, it should be understood that the novelty device can function as described below if configured into shapes more complex than a ball.

Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention novelty device 10 is embodied as a toy ball. The novelty device 10 includes a hollow spherical casing 20 having an external diameter D1. The spherical casing 20 has an outer surface 12 and an inner surface 14. The inner surface 14 of the spherical casing 20 defines the boundaries of an open internal area 16.

The spherical casing 20 is thin and flexible. However, the spherical casing 20 is substantial enough to be free standing. The spherical casing 20 maintains its own shape and the shape of the internal area 16 when the novelty device 10 experiences no external forces other than that of gravity.

An aperture 18 is formed in the spherical casing 20. The aperture 18 is circular and has a diameter D2 that is only a small fraction of the size of the diameter D1 of the unstretched spherical casing 20. A rim 22 immediately surrounds the aperture 18. The rim 22 is part of the spherical casing 20 but is thickened to provide reinforcement to the rim 22. The rim 22 of the aperture 18 is also rounded to help prevent tears from forming along the rim 22 of the aperture 18.

A plurality of perforations 23 are formed through the spherical casing 20. The perforations 23 can be holes but are preferably slits in the elastomeric material of the spherical casing 20. Accordingly, when the spherical casing is unstretched, the perforations 23 remain closed and are difficult to see.

The spherical casing 20 itself is preferably formed from a poly(styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene) copolymer mixed between two percent and twenty percent, by weight, with a plasticizing oil, such as mineral oil. The resulting composition is both highly elastic and highly tear resistant. An oxidizing agent can also be added to the elastic polymer composition to reduce the tackiness of the elastic polymer composition.

The outer surface 12 of the spherical casing 20 is molded to a desired shape and texture. In the shown embodiment, the outside surface 12 of the spherical casing 20 has a frog shape 24 formed on it. The frog shape 24 is merely exemplary and it will be understood that any other shape can be substituted for that of the frog shape 24. When the spherical casing 20 is unstretched, the perforations 23 remain closed and do not effect the appearance of the shape of the outside surface 12 of the spherical casing 20.

Referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the inner surface 14 of the spherical casing 20 is molded to a shape, texture and color scheme that is preferably different from that of the outer surface 12. However, it is preferred that the outer surface 12 of the spherical casing 20 and the inner surface 14 of the spherical casing 20 have a related theme. For instance, one surface of the spherical casing 20 can be colored and textured as the earth, while the opposite surface can be colored and textured as the moon. In the shown embodiment, the outer surface 12 of the spherical casing 20 contains a frog shape 24. The inner surface 14 of the spherical casing 20 has a frog skin theme, wherein the inner surface 14 has the color of the frog's skin and is textured with protrusions 26 that give the impression of warts. Thus, the outer surface 12 and the inner surface 14 have complementary themes.

The inner surface 14 of the spherical casing 20 is brought out of the spherical casing 20 by pulling or pushing the spherical casing 20 inside out through the aperture 18.

Referring to FIG. 3. it can be seen that the aperture 18 in the spherical casing 20 can be elastically expanded to a diameter that is more than four times the size of the original spherical casing itself. Preferably, the aperture 18 can elastically expand in diameter at least ten times its original diameter D2 without damaging the rim 22 surrounding the aperture 18 or any other part of the spherical casing 20. When the aperture 18 of the spherical casing 20 is so hyper-extended, the spherical casing 20 becomes flat and dish-shaped. The rim 22 of the aperture 18 is positioned near the periphery of a flattened spherical casing 20. Consequently, both the outer surface 12 of the spherical casing 20 and inner surface 14 are equally visible. The choice of which surface will be on the outside of the spherical casing 20 depends entirely upon the direction in which the spherical casing 20 is allowed to collapse when the stretching forces are removed.

Due to the highly elastic construction of the novelty device 10, the aperture 18 within the spherical casing 20 can be stretched open to a size at least ten times its original size. Thus, a novelty device 10 having an aperture 18 of only a one inch diameter can be opened to a diameter of at least ten inches without becoming damaged. The result is a novelty device 10 that can be stretched over much larger objects.

When the spherical casing 20 of the novelty device 10 is stretched, the perforations 23 open. The more the material of the spherical casing 20 is stretched, the more the perforations 23 open. Consequently, if the spherical casing 20 were ever to be vastly stretched over the head or face of a child, the perforations 23 would be open to a significant degree. The perforations 23 would therefore allow a child to breath through the material of the spherical casing 20.

Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, it can be seen that by stretching the spherical casing 20 to a large size, an object can be easily placed into the spherical casing 20. As the spherical casing 20 collapses around such an object, the spherical casing 20 conforms to the shape of the inner object and covers that object like a second skin. In FIG. 4, the spherical casing 20 is stretched over a person's head 30 and worn like a hat. In this manner, a person can have the appearance of having a frog on their head 30. Or, as is shown, provide their head 30 with the textured appearance of the skin of a frog.

Again, since the material of the spherical casing 20 is highly stretched, the perforations 23 lay open. Consequently, if the spherical casing 20 were to be pulled over the face, suffocation could not occur.

In FIG. 5, the spherical casing 20 is stretched over a person's foot 32 and worn like a sock. In this manner, a person can provide their foot 32 with the appearance that they just stepped upon, and flattened, a frog. However, if the spherical casing 20 is reversed, the foot 32 can be provided with the textured appearance of the skin of a frog. When placed on the foot, there is no danger of suffocation. However, the perforations 23 will open to allow the skin under the spherical casing 20 to breath. This prevents a foot or any other body part from becoming overly hot and sweaty.

It will be understood that the embodiment of the present invention novelty device that is shown is merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art can make many variations to the embodiment without departing from the intended scope of the invention. For instance, it will be understood that the shown designs of a frog and frog skin on the surfaces of the novelty device are merely a matter of design choice. Most any design, texture and/or color scheme can be utilized. What is preferred is that the design, texture and/or color scheme on the inside and outside surfaces of the novelty device be visibly different. Therein encouraging a child to invert the novelty device at different times. All such modifications, variations and alternate embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. 

1. A novelty device, comprising: an elastic casing defining an internal area, said elastic casing having an external outer surface and an internal inner surface, wherein said outer surface and said inner surface are visually distinct from each other; an aperture of a first diameter disposed in said elastic casing through which said elastic casing can be selectively inverted, wherein said aperture can be elastically stretched to a diameter greater than said first diameter without damage; and perforations uniformly disposed along said elastic casing the expand when said elastic casing is stretched.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said elastic casing is free standing, therein defining said internal area in an uncollapsed condition when unstressed by any force other than gravity.
 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said perforations are slits that remain closed when said elastic casing is unstretched.
 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said elastic casing is generally spherical in shape.
 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said elastic casing is comprised of poly(styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene) mixed with a plasticizing oil.
 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein said protrusions extend from said inner surface.
 7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said outer surface and said inner surface have different textures.
 8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said outer surface has the form of an animal disposed thereon.
 9. A method of selectively covering an object with one of two possible designs, said method comprising the steps of: providing an elastic casing having perforations and an opening of a first size larger than said perforations formed therein, wherein said elastic casing has an inner surface of a first design and an outer surface of a second design, wherein said elastic casing can be selectively inverted through said opening, and wherein said opening can be elastically stretched to a second size greater than said first size; choosing a selected design from either said first design or said second design on said casing; manipulating said casing so that said selected design is oriented on the exterior of the elastic casing; and stretching said opening of said casing around an object, wherein said perforations on said casing expand and said casing elastically conforms to the object and covers the object with said selected design without inhibiting air flow to the object.
 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said casing is spherically shaped.
 11. The method according to claim 9, wherein said first design is smooth and said second design includes protrusions.
 12. The method according to claim 9, wherein said elastic casing defines a rim that surrounds said opening, wherein said rim is reinforced by a thickening of said elastic casing at said rim.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein said elastic casing is comprised of poly(styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene) mixed with a plasticizing oil.
 14. The method according to claim 9, wherein said first design and said second design have different textures. 